# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, yesterday evening hosted the inaugural Nichola de la Haye Commemorative Lecture in London, honouring the formidable legacy of her thirteenth-century predecessor and her pivotal role in English history.
## The Occasion
The inaugural lecture took place within the panelled solemnity of Vintners’ Hall in the City of London. The historic hall, home to one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies, provided a suitably dignified setting, its atmosphere steeped in centuries of civic and commercial history. As the autumn evening drew in, guests were welcomed into the hall’s quiet grandeur for an event dedicated to historical reflection and the enduring principles of leadership.
The occasion was conceived by Lady Nicoleta to create a forum for exploring the qualities of duty and resilience, as personified by the fifth Baroness of Brattleby. The lecture aims to connect the near-millennium of the Barony’s history with the challenges of the present day, serving as both a tribute and an educational platform for a distinguished audience.
## Historical Context
The focus of the evening, Nichola de la Haye, served as the 5th Baroness during one of English history’s most turbulent periods. Following the sealing of Magna Carta, her loyalty to the Crown was tested during the First Barons' War. A figure of remarkable resolve, she successfully commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel and French forces during the pivotal Siege of Lincoln in 1217.
Her stalwart command alongside the celebrated regent, William Marshal, secured a decisive victory for the young King Henry III, effectively preserving the Plantagenet dynasty. Nichola's actions demonstrated that fortitude and honour—the very virtues enshrined in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*—were the bedrock of the Barony’s identity. The lineage, established by Colswein of Lincoln as a grant from William the Conqueror, would later pass to other figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture was delivered by Professor Alistair Finch of King’s College London, a leading historian of the High Middle Ages. In attendance were senior members of the academic community, including fellows from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; representatives from the diplomatic corps with an interest in Anglo-European heritage; and chairpersons of Lincolnshire’s historical and preservation societies.
Also present were patrons and members of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, the etiquette and cultural academy founded by the House. The gathering represented a convergence of historical scholarship, diplomatic interest, and the modern cultural and philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a formal but welcoming protocol. Guests were received from seven o’clock by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. A reception was held in the Swan Room, after which guests were invited to take their seats in the main Livery Hall for the evening’s lecture. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered the opening remarks, formally introducing Professor Finch and the subject of his address, titled *Duty's Sentinel: Nichola de la Haye and the Defence of the Realm*.
The keynote lecture was followed by a brief session for questions, moderated by Honorary Lord Răzvan. The dress code was lounge suit, a standard of decorum befitting the scholarly and respectful nature of the event. Throughout the hall, the House’s standard was displayed with tasteful discretion, a quiet reminder of the continuity of history which the evening celebrated.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event drew its inspiration directly from the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, which form the core of the House's armorial achievement, are seen as a direct reflection of the character of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her defence of Lincoln Castle is a historical manifestation of fortitude, while her unswerving loyalty to the rightful monarch exemplifies honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a modern interpretation of the House's ancient-rooted resilience: the idea that overcoming challenges, both public and personal, is the essence of a vital and purposeful life. Together, the mottos signify a commitment to honourable duty balanced with a dynamic will to prevail and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an academic event in its own right, the lecture series serves to highlight the core values that inform the House’s charitable activities. The resilience and protective duty shown by the fifth Baroness find a modern echo in the House’s primary philanthropic commitment to the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist psychological care and therapeutic support to children who have experienced profound trauma.
Proceeds from the evening’s lecture, *inter alia*, will be donated to support the charity’s vital work in providing safe and restorative environments for vulnerable young people. The choice of beneficiary underscores the belief that fortitude is not only about defending castles, but about building and securing the inner lives of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
In her opening remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on her predecessor’s relevance:
— “Nichola de la Haye was far more than a historical footnote; she was the embodiment of fortitude in an age of profound uncertainty. Her story teaches us that leadership is not defined by gender or station, but by one’s unwavering commitment to duty and honour. It is a legacy we are bound to uphold.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan, in his closing address, connected the past to contemporary purpose:
— “History provides the essential blueprint for our present and future actions. By studying figures like the fifth Baroness, we understand that resilience—the will to overcome adversity, which is the heart of my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—is the *sine qua non* of a meaningful existence and enduring legacy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce that the Nichola de la Haye Commemorative Lecture will become an annual event. It will serve as a permanent fixture in the House's calendar, dedicated to exploring significant figures and events from the Barony’s extensive history. The proceedings from each lecture will be published to create a lasting scholarly resource.
Looking ahead, the House is focused on its forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child. The success of this inaugural lecture reaffirms the House’s commitment to making its heritage a living force for education, cultural enrichment, and charitable good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment that oversees the heritage and responsibilities of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century legacy through education, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting children recovering from trauma through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire to its cultural and etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House applies its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to a modern context of service, historical stewardship, and social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the succeeding centuries, the Barony was held by figures of major historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal prince, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally confirmed and its proper succession recognised by The Crown, as recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com